Education & Social Sciences
Explore Education and the Social Sciences
People are endlessly complex, and understanding them, how they develop, how they interact, how history shapes them, and how communities form and change, is at the heart of education and the social sciences. CCC’s programs in this area serve students headed into careers working directly with people, students building the academic foundation for a bachelor’s degree, and students who want to understand the world around them more clearly.
Education and Social Sciences Degrees and Certificates
Transfer to University Or complete your program requirements
Applied Indigenous Studies | Anthropology | History | Psychology | Sociology | Geography | Economics
Whether you are working toward a bachelor’s degree or fulfilling requirements for a program you are already pursuing at CCC, courses in the social sciences serve students at every stage. CCC’s Associate of Science transfers to all Arizona public universities for students planning to continue into a science or technical bachelor’s program.
Courses across anthropology, history, psychology, sociology, geography, economics, and Applied Indigenous Studies satisfy AGEC Social and Behavioral Sciences requirements that apply to many CCC degrees and certificates. Check your program requirements or speak with an advisor to see how these courses fit your plan.
Meet with a transfer advisor early if transfer is your goal, so your coursework is pointing in the right direction from the start.
Who should take courses in Education and the Social Sciences?
Students pursuing a career working with children. The Early Childhood Education program is a workforce credential that leads directly to employment. It is also one of the few programs in this area that combines a certificate and a degree in a single stackable pathway.
Students preparing to transfer into a science or technical bachelor’s program. The Associate of Science is the right transfer degree for students heading into biology, chemistry, environmental science, engineering, computer science, pre-medicine, and related fields. If you are heading into a social science or humanities program, the Associate of Arts is likely the better fit.
Students building a foundation for careers in human services, education, and the social sciences. Courses in anthropology, psychology, sociology, and related fields prepare students to transfer into programs in social work, counseling, psychology, education, public administration, and many other people-centered fields.
Students completing general education requirements. Many social science courses at CCC satisfy AGEC Social and Behavioral Sciences, Institutions in the Americas, and special requirement designations. These courses are a meaningful part of almost every degree at CCC.
Transfer and Career Outcomes
Programs and courses in this area lead in two different directions, and it is worth understanding which applies to you before you enroll.
Workforce: The Early Childhood Education AAS and Certificate are workforce credentials designed to move you directly into a career. They are not designed for university transfer, though the AAS does prepare students who wish to continue toward a bachelor’s degree in ECE.
Transfer: The Associate of Science, the Associate of Arts, and individual social science courses are designed to support transfer to a four-year university. Transfer guides are available for anthropology, psychology, sociology, social work, and related fields. Speak with a transfer advisor before your first semester to make sure your coursework aligns with your intended university and program.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I take social science courses if I am not working toward a degree?
Yes. Any CCC student can enroll in social science courses for personal enrichment, professional development, or general interest, not just students working toward a credential.
- Can I major in anthropology, psychology, sociology, or another social science at CCC?
CCC does not offer standalone bachelor’s-level majors in the social sciences, but it does offer strong foundational coursework and transfer pathways that prepare you to pursue those majors at a four-year university. The Associate of Science or Associate of Arts degree is the typical transfer pathway for students in these disciplines, depending on your intended program. Speak with a transfer advisor to determine which transfer degree best fits your destination university and major.
- How long does it take to complete an associate's degree or the AGEC?
Most students complete an Associate of Arts in approximately two years of full-time study. Part-time students typically take three to four years depending on how many courses they take each semester. The AGEC is the general education block of courses within the AA and can often be completed in about one year full time, though it is not a standalone degree. If your goal is to transfer, completing the full AA rather than just the AGEC gives you the most complete credential.
